Grilling appliance having air jacket for smoke removal and ventilation

Abstract

A ventilated grilling device includes a plurality of grates each having interior channels defined therein, a housing positioned at a first end of each of the plurality of grates, the housing having a ventilating interior in communication with each of the interior channels, a heat-conductive ceramic plate positioned below the plurality of grates, wherein the space defined between the top surface of the ceramic plate and the grates defines a suction jacket that is in fluid communication with the ventilating interior of the housing and a heat source positioned below the ceramic plate, wherein heat from the heat source is thermally transferred through the ceramic plate and up to a cooking region positioned proximate an upper portion of the plurality of grates.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ventilated grilling manifold for a grilling appliance, the ventilated grilling manifold comprising:
 a housing having a ventilating interior portion in communication with a suction jacket; 
 a blower disposed proximate to and in communication with the ventilating interior portion of the housing, wherein a wall of the housing partially separates the suction jacket from the ventilating interior portion, and the ventilating interior portion is positioned between the suction jacket and the blower; 
 a plurality of grates that extend through the wall and are partially positioned within the housing and the ventilating interior portion, wherein the plurality of grates extend outward from the housing and are positioned at an upper region of the suction jacket; and 
 a heat-conductive plate having a top surface that defines a lower boundary of the suction jacket, the heat-conductive plate configured to be positioned over a heat source, wherein the suction jacket is further defined at least partially below the plurality of grates, and wherein the ventilating interior of the housing, via selective operation of the blower, draws heated air from above the heat-conductive plate and into the ventilating interior through the plurality of grates and ejects the heated air to an area exterior of the housing and the plurality of grates, wherein each of the plurality of grates includes an interior ventilation channel that defines a portion of the suction jacket, and wherein the plurality of grates directly engage the housing, wherein the suction jacket includes each of the interior ventilation channels, and wherein the plurality of grates and each of the interior ventilation channels extend through the wall into the housing and into the ventilating interior portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The ventilated grilling manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of ventilation apertures, wherein each of the plurality of ventilation apertures is in alignment with a corresponding interior ventilation channel of the plurality of grates, wherein heated air drawn from the suction jacket into the ventilating interior of the housing travels through the plurality of ventilation apertures. 
     
     
       3. The ventilated grilling manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the heat-conductive plate is disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the plurality of grates, the top surface of the heat-conductive plate being in communication with a debris container positioned proximate the heat-conductive plate. 
     
     
       4. The ventilated grilling manifold of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a heat-conductive base plate positioned below the heat-conductive plate; 
 a perimetrical frame extending between the heat-conductive plate and the heat-conductive base plate to define an interstitial space, wherein the suction jacket is further defined by the interstitial space defined between the heat-conductive plate, the heat-conductive base plate and the perimetrical frame; and 
 a plurality of vent slots defined within the heat-conductive plate and aligned with the plurality of grates, wherein the plurality of vent slots place the interstitial space in communication with the ventilating interior of the housing.